Nomadland

A transformative journey across the American west unfolds with utter majesty in writer/director Chloé Zhao's Oscar-winning adaptation of Jessica Bruder's non-fiction book. Reeling from the twin tragedies of losing her home and her husband, the free-spirited Fern (Frances McDormand, who also won an Academy Award for her performance) is plunged into a transient existence as she hits the road in a lovingly converted van. It's an unforgiving lifestyle, dependent on seasonal gigs and "stealth parking". But along the way, Fern meets many beautiful souls (including real-life nomads Linda May and Bob Wells), and finds a sense of community with other older Americans, who have been similarly cast adrift. Nomadland transcends narrative conventions, allowing us to simply luxuriate in its protagonist's exploits. With a stunning score from Ludovico Einaudi that's by turns melancholy and soothing, and sublime cinematography by Joshua James Richards, the film boasts a remarkable ability to capture the cathartic power of connecting with nature, and is an almost spiritual experience. As she salutes the resilience of humankind, Zhao has given us something genuinely unforgettable.